Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Emily Jones (743)

1867 –12/01/1938

A mother of ten children., five of whom died

Relatives

Frederick John Jones — son

Robert Jones — husband

• David Squire

Emily Jones (nee Tilcock)

Emily Tilcock was born in 1867 to John and Betsy Tilcock in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Her name in the records is stated as Emma, before she decided be known as Emily after she was married.

As confirmed in the 1871 census the family moved to King Street, Houghton Regis and her father, John, worked as an agricultural labourer and mother, Betsy, a straw plaiter. Emma had an elder sister, Sarah, and two younger brothers, Frederic & William.

By the time of the next census in 1881 Emma had left the family home at the young age of 14 and worked as a general servant for the Houghton Regis butcher, Matthew Saunders, working in his house in the high street and helping to look after four young children.

Emma met Robert Jones and they were married in 1888 in Luton, setting up home in Dunstable and at this point her name changes to Emily. By the time of the 1891 census the couple have two sons, Percy and an unnamed baby a matter of days old. Robert continued to work as a carpenter. In the early 1890’s the family relocated to Berkhamsted, resident at 18 Ravens Lane. The family has expanded to 5 children, with the now named Sydney, Frederick John (known as John), Nellie and Amy, joining the eldest son, Percy.

The 1911 census shows that the family lived in a 5 roomed house at 35 Victoria Road in Berkhamsted. The census confirms that four of Robert and Emily’s 10 children died, with new arrivals since the last census, Hilda & Cyril, bringing the total of surviving children to six. This goes to show that the mortality rate in the late 19^th/early 20^th century remained high. Emily loses another child, when her son Frederick John joined the 1^st Hertfordshire Regiment at the start of the war and was sadly killed in April 1915.

The 1921 census shows Robert and Emily still residied at 35 Victoria Street, Berkhamsted. Robert is listed as a joiner, working for G Osbourne, a builder. The 3 youngest children, Nellie, Hilda and Cyril remained at home and all worked for John Dickinson & Co Ltd, the famous paper manufacturer, based at Apsley Mill. Emily is listed as undertaking home duties.

The final record we have for Emily is for her death on 22^nd December 1946. She is buried in plot 743 at Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted. She was joined in this plot by her husband, Robert, when he died in 1946. A memorial to her son Frederick John, who died in WW1 has been added to the grave stone.

Robert Jones

18/03/1866 –22/12/1946

A carpenter and member of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners

Relatives

Emily Jones (743) — wife

Frederick John Jones — son

• David Squire

Robert Jones

Robert Jones was born 18^th March 1866 to William and Maria in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. John was the 4th born, behind brothers Thomas & William and a sister Elizabeth. He had 3 younger sisters, Mary, Ellen & Amy and a further brother, Henry. At the time of the 1871 census his father, William, was working as a Bricklayer, with his mother, Maria, making hats.

The family continued to live in Dunstable and by the time of the 1881 census, 15 year old Robert was apprenticed as a carpenter. We next encounter Robert when he marries Emily Tilcock in 1888 in Luton.

Robert and his new wife, Emily, settle in Dunstable and by the 1891 census they have two sons, Percy and an unnamed baby a matter of days old. Robert continues to work as a carpenter. In the early 1890’s Robert relocates his family to Berkhamsted, resident at 18 Ravens Lane. The family has expanded to 5 children, with the now named Sydney, Frederick John (known as John), Nellie and Amy, joining the eldest son, Percy.

The 1911 census shows that the family now live in a 5 roomed house at 35 Victoria Road in Berkhamsted. The census confirms that 4 of Robert and Emily’s 10 children have died, with new arrivals since the last census, Hilda & Cyril, bringing the total of surviving children to 6. This goes to show that the mortality rate in the late 19^th/early 20^th century remained high.

Robert clearly believed in workers’ rights as he joined the Berkhamsted branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners in 1914.

Robert was too old to serve in WW1. However, his son Frederick John joined the 1^st Hertfordshire Regiment at the start of the war and he was sadly killed in April 1915.

The 1921 census shows Robert and Emily still residing at 35 Victoria Street, Berkhamsted. Robert is listed as a joiner, working for G Osbourne, a builder. The 3 youngest children, Nellie, Hilda and Cyril remain at home and all are working for John Dickinson & Co Ltd, the famous paper manufacturer, based at Apsley Mill.

Robert lost his wife Emily when she died on 12^th February 1938 at the age of 75. In the 1939 register Robert is still living in Victoria Road but this time at number 6 along with a married women, Rosetta Fielding, aged 65. There are no other occupants at this address. The connection between Robert and Rosetta is unclear – perhaps Rosetta was a lodger.

The final record we have for Robert is his death on 22^nd December 1946 and his burial in plot 743, joining his wife Emily, at Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted.

Frederick John Jones

1893 –17/04/1915

Son of Robert and Emily Jones; a gas fitter before enlisting and losing his life in WW I

Relatives

Robert Jones — father

Emily Jones (743) — mother

• David Squire

Frederick John Jones

Frederick John Jones, known as John Jones, was born in 1893 to Robert and Emily in Berkhamsted. John was the 3^rd born, behind brothers Percy and Sydney. He had 3 younger sisters, Nellie, Amy and Hilda and a further brother, Cyril. At the time of the 1901 census the family were living in Ravens Lane, with his father, Robert, working as a carpenter.

By the time of the 1911 census the family had moved to Victoria Road, Berkhamsted and John worked as a gas fitter, probably at the Berkhamsted Gas and Lights Works, along with his brother Sydney. His elder brother, Percy, had become a carpenter, like his father.

We next hear of John when he signs up to fight in WW1, joining the 1^st Hertfordshire Regiment at the start of the war in August 1914 and going out to France  a few weeks later in early November. It would appear that John’s military records were among the many burnt during bombing action in WW2. Therefore, the only further information about John’s time in the military we have for John is obtained from the 1^st Hertfordshire Regiment diary that confirms that John died of wounds on 18^th April 1915 whilst the regiment was in the front line at Givenchy, Northern France. John was buried in France but a memorial has been added to the plot (743) of his mother and father, Robert and Emily, at Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted.